The Federal Government has approved the upward review of school fees of all Federal Government Colleges, FGCs also known as federal unity colleges from N45,000 to N100,000 for new students.
This was contained in a directive from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, dated 25th May, 2023, and addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges.
According to the circular entitled, “Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students”, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, new students are expected to part with N100,000 instead of the previous N45,000.
The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, text books, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fee, ID card, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, et al.
The circular stated that “the ministry has approved only the underlisted fees and charges for all Unity Colleges” and urged the principals to comply with the directive.
The decision has sparked outrage among parents and stakeholders who described the increment as arbitrary, insensitive, ill-timed and inconsistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise of welfare programmes to help Nigerian parents cope with the economic challenges posed by fuel subsidy removal in the country.
Parents under the aegis of Nigerian Parents Forum had in June 2023 appealed to President Tinubu to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the over 100% increment on fees paid by Students in Federal Government Colleges or Unity schools.
Similarly, the House of Representatives had earlier in July directed the Federal Ministry of Education to review the new school fees regime in Federal Government Colleges and revert to the old regime.
